Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals

This study examined the representations of one Finnish child with disabilities as constructed in reports written by professionals. The professional action models which appeared in the discourse of the reports were also explored. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the social construc...

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Main Author: Tanja Vehkakoski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Stockholm University Press 2009-07-01
Series:Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
Online Access:https://www.sjdr.se/articles/136
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author Tanja Vehkakoski
author_facet Tanja Vehkakoski
author_sort Tanja Vehkakoski
collection DOAJ
description This study examined the representations of one Finnish child with disabilities as constructed in reports written by professionals. The professional action models which appeared in the discourse of the reports were also explored. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the social constructionist approach. Research data consisted of 145 documents, the analyses of which were based on critical discourse analysis developed by Fairclough (1992). Results indicated that the child with a disability was constructed in the documents in varying ways, either as an object, a problem, or a subject Professional expertise, mechanistic and objectivist practices, and seeing disability as an individual problem were verified as the professional modes of action. By revealing how institutionalized views shape the lives of children with disabilities, this study discusses the prevailing and alternative ways to construct disability.
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spelling doaj.art-5a9fa6fa626e4fb79b0dc6e598e1fab72023-09-02T07:24:26ZengStockholm University PressScandinavian Journal of Disability Research1501-74191745-30112009-07-015216018410.1080/1501741030951262067Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionalsTanja Vehkakoski0University of Jyväskylä, Department of Special Education, P.O.Box 35 (PiC), 40014 University of Jyväskylä, FinlandThis study examined the representations of one Finnish child with disabilities as constructed in reports written by professionals. The professional action models which appeared in the discourse of the reports were also explored. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the social constructionist approach. Research data consisted of 145 documents, the analyses of which were based on critical discourse analysis developed by Fairclough (1992). Results indicated that the child with a disability was constructed in the documents in varying ways, either as an object, a problem, or a subject Professional expertise, mechanistic and objectivist practices, and seeing disability as an individual problem were verified as the professional modes of action. By revealing how institutionalized views shape the lives of children with disabilities, this study discusses the prevailing and alternative ways to construct disability.https://www.sjdr.se/articles/136
spellingShingle Tanja Vehkakoski
Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
title Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
title_full Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
title_fullStr Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
title_full_unstemmed Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
title_short Object, problem, or subject?: A child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
title_sort object problem or subject a child with a disability as found in reports of professionals
url https://www.sjdr.se/articles/136
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